Uber drives off with Toyota in latest ride-hailing partnership

By Trevor Mogg May 24, 2016

Toyota has just announced a major partnership with Uber, the latest in a growing list of similar deals between traditional car makers and ride-hailing outfits.

The tie-up includes a “strategic investment” by the Japanese car giant in Uber, though the financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

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Similar to GM’s deal with Uber rival Lyft, Toyota will offer reasonably priced vehicle-leasing opportunities for Uber driver applicants who don’t have access to a suitable car.

The companies said they intend to work together in a range of other areas, too, including the creation of in-car apps to aid the work of Uber drivers, and continued development of their respective research efforts. This presumably includes self-driving technology – an area in which both companies are already deeply involved – though it wasn’t explicitly stated in the release.

Toyota is the latest big-name automotive company to partner with a ride-hailing firm as traditional vehicle manufacturers jostle to join forces with successful startups in related industries. News of Toyota’s partnership with Uber comes on the same day that VW announced it’s investing $300 million in Gett, a ride-hailing service popular in parts of Europe. As we’ve already mentioned, Lyft and GM are also collaborating as part of a $500 million investment by the car maker, as are Google and Fiat Chrysler. And Apple, which is rumored to be developing its own automobile, recently revealed a $1 billon investment in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing.

The alliances aim to exploit growing interest in areas such as self-driving technology, ride-hailing services, and electric cars, with competition intensifying with every announced partnership.

Commenting on the deal with Uber, Toyota’s Shigeki Tomoyama said, “Ridesharing has huge potential in terms of shaping the future of mobility. Through this collaboration with Uber, we would like to explore new ways of delivering secure, convenient and attractive mobility services to customers,”

Uber’s chief business officer, Emil Michael, said the car company’s vehicles “are among the most popular cars on the Uber platform worldwide and we look forward to collaborating with Toyota in multiple ways going forward, starting with the expansion of our vehicle financing efforts.”

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Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Cars

Stellantis’ 2027 Dodge Charger Daytona might feature solid-state battery tech

Front three quarter view of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona sedan.

The battle to use cheaper, more efficient, and safer EV batteries is heating up among automakers. At the heart of this battle, the development of solid-state battery technology, an alternative to highly flammable and costly lithium batteries, is garnering more and more attention.For proof, Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker, is betting on the technology for its next generation of electric vehicles. The Netherlands-based company announced that it will launch a demonstration fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs that will feature solid-state battery tech made by U.S. startup Factorial.The demo fleet, expected to launch by 2026, will provide a real-world assessment of Factorial’s technology. Factorial has been partnering with Stellantis since 2021 and is also partnering with the likes of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai.Besides Dodge, the technology would eventually be deployed on the Stellantis STLA Large multi-energy platform, which includes brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.Stellantis said that the integration of solid-state battery technology will yield “improved performance, longer driving ranges, and faster charging times in the coming years.”Factorial, meanwhile, says its technology provides higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance, and the potential for further reduction in total vehicle cost over time. Stellantis, Daimler, and Hyundai aren’t the only ones to bet on solid-state battery tech. Toyota, the largest automaker in the world, has heavily invested in the technology. It also created a coalition with Nissan and Panasonic to boost its production in Japan. So far, making solid-state batteries has remained an expensive endeavor. But steps such as the Stellantis demo fleet and production at scale by the likes of Factorial are expected to improve manufacturing processes and costs over time.Other automakers, meanwhile, are working on ways to improve lithium batteries. Volkswagen, for one, is developing its own unified battery cell in several European plants as well as one plant in Ontario, Canada.

Cars

Costco partners with Electric Era to bring back EV charging in the U.S.

costco ev charging us electricera fast station 1260x945

Costco, known for its discount gas stations, has left EV drivers in need of juicing up out in the cold for the past 12 years. But that seems about to change now that the big-box retailer is putting its brand name on a DC fast-charging station in Ridgefield, Washington.
After being one of the early pioneers of EV charging in the 1990s, Costco abandoned the offering in 2012 in the U.S.
While opening just one station may seem like a timid move, the speed at which the station was installed -- just seven weeks -- could indicate big plans going forward.
Besides lightening-speed installation, Electric Era, the Seattle-based company making and installing the charging station, promises to offer “hyper-reliable, battery-backed fast charging technology in grid-constrained locations.”
Its stalls can deliver up to 200 kilowatts and come with built-in battery storage, allowing for lower electricity rates and the ability to remain operational even when power grids go down.
If that sounds like it could very well rival Tesla’s SuperCharger network, it’s no coincidence: Quincy Lee, its CEO, is a former SpaceX engineer.
Costco also seems confident enough in the company to have put its brand name on the EV-charging station. Last year, the wholesaler did open a pilot station in Denver, this time partnering with Electrify America, the largest charging network in the U.S. However, Costco did not put its brand name on it.
In an interview with Green Car Reports, Electric Era said it was still in talks with Costco about the opening of new locations. Last year, Costco said it was planning to install fast chargers at 20 locations, without providing further details. It has maintained EV-charging operations in Canada, the UK, Spain, and South Korea.
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Cars

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wayve ai automated driving us driver assist2 1920x1152 1

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